Jackson County's composite score of 79.0 is 58% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong livability fundamentals. This commanding advantage places Jackson among the more attractive counties nationally on measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Top Tier Among North Carolina Counties
Jackson ranks above the state average composite score of 72.7, placing it in the upper tier of North Carolina's 100 counties. The county's 79.0 score reflects consistent strength across multiple livability factors.
3 / 5
Rock-Bottom Taxes and Exceptional Affordability
Jackson leads with a 91.9 tax score driven by an ultra-low effective tax rate of just 0.369%, among the lowest in the state. Cost affordability is exceptional: median rent of $855/month and median home value of $253,900 deliver rare value for budget-minded households.
4 / 5
Income Levels Significantly Below State Norms
Jackson's income score of 18.3 reflects a median household income of $53,479, nearly $20,000 below the state average. Without data on schools, health, and safety, a complete livability assessment remains incomplete, though the county clearly prioritizes affordability over income growth.
5 / 5
Ideal for Retirees and Budget-First Households
Jackson appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families where affordability trumps earning potential. The county's combination of minimal taxes and low housing costs makes it attractive to those on fixed or modest incomes seeking maximum purchasing power.
Jackson County's composite score of 79.0 is 58% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong livability fundamentals. This commanding advantage places Jackson among the more attractive counties nationally on measured dimensions.
Top Tier Among North Carolina Counties
Jackson ranks above the state average composite score of 72.7, placing it in the upper tier of North Carolina's 100 counties. The county's 79.0 score reflects consistent strength across multiple livability factors.
Rock-Bottom Taxes and Exceptional Affordability
Jackson leads with a 91.9 tax score driven by an ultra-low effective tax rate of just 0.369%, among the lowest in the state. Cost affordability is exceptional: median rent of $855/month and median home value of $253,900 deliver rare value for budget-minded households.
Income Levels Significantly Below State Norms
Jackson's income score of 18.3 reflects a median household income of $53,479, nearly $20,000 below the state average. Without data on schools, health, and safety, a complete livability assessment remains incomplete, though the county clearly prioritizes affordability over income growth.
Ideal for Retirees and Budget-First Households
Jackson appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families where affordability trumps earning potential. The county's combination of minimal taxes and low housing costs makes it attractive to those on fixed or modest incomes seeking maximum purchasing power.
Score breakdown
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🏛91.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Jackson County's effective tax rate of 0.369% ranks in the bottom 5% nationally—among the lowest in the entire United States. Residents pay just $938 in median annual property taxes, a fraction of the national median of $2,690, even though home values near the national average.
Jackson leads North Carolina in tax savings
At 0.369%, Jackson County's effective rate is less than half the state average of 0.701%, making it the most tax-friendly county in North Carolina by a wide margin. The median annual property tax of $938 falls 34% below the state median of $1,433.
Jackson far outpaces region on affordability
Jackson's 0.369% rate dramatically undercuts neighboring Macon County (0.427%) and Lee County (0.798%), offering unmatched tax relief in the western mountains. Jackson homeowners pay roughly half what neighbors in Lee County pay annually for homes of similar value.
Jackson homeowners pay the least
A median Jackson home valued at $253,900 carries an annual property tax of just $938. Even with mortgage-related additions, Jackson residents rarely exceed $984 in annual taxes—a remarkable bargain compared to national norms.
Even Jackson homeowners should check assessments
While Jackson offers among the nation's lowest rates, overassessment still occurs. Filing an appeal with the county assessor if you believe your valuation is inflated could yield additional savings, even in a low-tax county.
Jackson County renters spend 19.2% of income on housing, surpassing both the national median of 18.6% and the state average, indicating tighter affordability despite modest rents. With a median household income of $53,479—well below the national average of $74,755—income constraints compound the housing pressure.
Jackson ranks among North Carolina's least affordable
Jackson's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio places it above the state average of 18.6%, reflecting lower incomes relative to housing costs. The county's median rent of $855 is actually below state average, yet residents here struggle more because their incomes lag significantly.
Jackson faces steeper affordability challenges nearby
Jackson's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio outpaces nearby Macon County (17.8%) and Jones County (15.6%), making it one of the region's tighter markets for renters. While rents are modest at $855 monthly, the lower median income of $53,479 creates the real affordability squeeze.
Jackson renters pay $855 monthly while homeowners with mortgages pay $550, but the real pressure comes from a median income of just $53,479. This means renters dedicate roughly 19% of their income to housing alone—a tighter squeeze than wealthier counties with similar rents.
Jackson offers cheap housing, but income matters most
If remote work allows you to maintain higher earnings while relocating, Jackson's $855 median rent and $253,900 median home values deliver exceptional value. But if considering a local job here, verify that wages support your lifestyle—affordability depends less on housing costs than on securing adequate income.
Jackson County's median household income of $53,479 falls $21,276 short of the national median of $74,755, ranking in the lower 30% nationally. This 28% gap reflects economic challenges and limited high-wage opportunities in the region.
Below-average earnings in North Carolina
Jackson County's $53,479 median income sits 12% below North Carolina's state average of $61,072, placing it among the state's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $32,937 also trails the state average of $33,920.
Jackson struggles against similar counties
Jackson County's $53,479 income falls near Macon County ($53,298) but well below Johnston County ($79,838) and Iredell County ($78,678). The $25,000+ gap to top-earning neighbors underscores Jackson's lower economic base.
Housing costs stretch budgets in Jackson
Jackson County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable, but median home values of $253,900 consume a larger share of household earnings here than in higher-income areas. Residents should scrutinize mortgage affordability carefully given lower median incomes.
Strategic wealth-building matters more here
With median incomes below state and national averages, Jackson County residents benefit from disciplined budgeting and incremental saving strategies. Even modest monthly investments and employer-sponsored retirement plans can compound significantly over time.
Jackson County residents reach 76.3 years on average, outpacing the U.S. life expectancy of 74.6 years by nearly two years. Yet 17% report poor or fair health, suggesting underlying disparities in how wellness is distributed across the population.
Beating state averages
Jackson's life expectancy of 76.3 years exceeds North Carolina's 74.4-year average by nearly two years. The county ranks well within the state, though its 17% poor/fair health rate warrants attention to underlying chronic disease patterns.
Mid-range health outcomes
Jackson County's 76.3-year life expectancy falls between Iredell County (76.5) and Macon County (75.4). At 17% reporting poor or fair health, Jackson sits in the middle of its regional peer group.
High uninsured rate; strong mental health access
A notable 15.7% of Jackson residents lack health insurance, significantly above the state average of 12.5%. However, the county offers strong mental health resources with 476 providers per 100,000—among the highest in the region—alongside 71 primary care providers per 100,000.
Check your coverage today
With nearly 1 in 6 Jackson residents uninsured, finding affordable coverage is urgent. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Marketplace plans, Medicaid, or local subsidies designed to fit your budget.
Jackson County's composite risk score of 80.47 places it in the Relatively Low category but above the national average, indicating residents face more frequent natural hazard exposure than most Americans. Flood and earthquake risks are the primary drivers of this elevated profile.
Jackson ranks above the North Carolina average
At 80.47, Jackson County's composite score exceeds the state average of 66.72, putting it among the higher-risk counties in North Carolina. Despite the Relatively Low rating, its position reflects meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazards.
Jackson closely mirrors Iredell and Macon hazards
Jackson (80.47) sits between Macon County (73.79) and Iredell County (80.79) in overall risk, though Jackson's wildfire score of 46.34 is slightly lower than both neighbors. All three counties share comparable flood and earthquake vulnerabilities, reflecting their western North Carolina mountain geography.
Floods and earthquakes pose the greatest threats
Flood risk reaches 83.21 in Jackson, while earthquake risk ranks at 74.36—both substantial hazards requiring preparedness. Wildfire risk remains moderate at 46.34, and tornado risk is notably lower at 62.15, providing some relief in those categories.
Flood insurance and seismic coverage matter here
Jackson residents should secure flood insurance immediately, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Consider earthquake coverage as well, given the county's 74.36 score, and keep your emergency supply kit updated for rapid water or ground movement events.